72 ON THE ROOT OF THE ASH TREE. 



Before departure this bird assembles in large flocks on house-tops, and 

 frequently on trees, and indeed is often seen to perch upon trees, gene- 

 rally the topmost branches. From its being frequently seen on trees grow- 

 ing near waters, it has been supposed to spend the winter immersed in 

 that element : an enviable berth truly ! like the poor swift from July 

 to April, " to rest after so rapid a life," as Mr. White observes ! 



P. S. The cuckoo to which I have twice alluded, is dead, after being 

 kept for five months, and without ever having evinced any desire to 

 slumber, more than is usual amongst all animals. 



Had it been properly attended to, and kept warm, it would no doubt 

 have lived through the winter. 



ON THE ROOT OF AN ASH TREE. 



BY R. T. C. 



A FEW days ago I was riding through South Runcton, a village near 

 Lynn, in Norfolk, when my attention was drawn towards an ash tree 

 root of remarkable length, the history of which I subsequently learnt. 

 The tree to which this root belonged had yielded to the axe some two 

 months ago. 



It is known that the roots of most trees, if embedded in a soil 

 favourable to their habits, will extend themselves a considerable dis- 

 tance from the trees themselves. Du Hamel states, that he found the 

 tap root of an oak, which measured four feet in length, the stem of the 

 tree being only six inches high. The ash, I conceive, under ordinary 

 circumstances, produces the longest root of any forest-tree growing in 

 Great Britain. Farmers in general, who have the opportunity, fell the 

 ash, if growing in the hedge-rows of corn-fields ; because, say they, its 

 roots run a long distance near the surface, thereby injuring the corn 

 growing within the range of their baneful influence. Whether the 

 roots of the ash excrete a deleterious matter, which acts upon the root- 

 lets of the corn-plants within their reach, or whether they draw so much 

 nourishment from the soil, that sufficient food is not left therein for the 

 healthy support of the corn-plants, I have no means of ascertaining ; 

 probably, each contributes its share of the ills experienced by the agri- 

 culturist, whose corn-field fences are encumbered with ash timber. 

 Large timber trees of all kinds overhanging corn-fields, doubtless, are 



